A rare case of carcinosarcoma of the temporal bone

A 45 yr old male† presented to the department of Otolaryngology, Meizhou People's Hospital, PR China, in March 2017, with a rapid-growing painful mass in his right temporal bone for three months which was associated with hearing loss, purulent secretion in the right ear, tinnitus, headache and low-grade fever. He denied any history of trauma to his head and had no family history. He had features of facial nerve palsy. On examination, a reddish granulation tissue and purulent secretion were found in his right antrum auris. The tympanic membrane was not visible and lymph nodes were not palpable. An enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance scan of the temporal bone revealed the malignant tumour with the destruction of temporal bone invading intracranial right area including sigmoid sinus, dura and jugular foramen (Figs 1 & 2). To make confirmatory diagnosis, incisional biopsy in local anaesthesia was done that confirmed the mass to be carcinosarcoma (Fig. 3). The patient was referred to a higher centre for further treatment which includes surgery and radiochemotherapy. However, the patient was lost to follow up.

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Fig. 1

Enhanced computed tomography of the temporal bone showing the tumour with the destruction of temporal bone invading intracranial right area (red circle).

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Fig. 2

Enhanced magnetic resonance of the temporal bone showing the tumour with the destruction of temporal bone invading intracranial right area (red circle).

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Fig. 3

Photomicrograph of hematoxylin and eosin (H & E)-stained section (×100) showing abnormal nucleus/cytoplasm ratio (black arrow) on the epithelium and mesenchymal cell.

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